Lex Fridman Podcast

Sebastian Raschka, hands-on ML educator and author of practical LLM guides, and Nathan Lambert, post-training lead at AI2 and RLHF specialist, discuss China vs US competition, which chatbots excel at coding and long context, open vs closed model tradeoffs, architectural tweaks like MOE, where progress really comes from (systems, data, post-training), RL with verifiable rewards, scaling laws, tool use and agents, and timelines toward AGI.

In this engaging conversation, Paul Rosolie, a dedicated naturalist and founder of Jungle Keepers, shares his adventurous work to protect the Amazon rainforest and its uncontacted tribes. He vividly recounts discovering ironwood trees and the intricacies of contacting the Mashko Piro. Paul discusses the growing threats from drug traffickers and the tactics used to combat them. His heartfelt stories of rescue missions and the emotional toll of conservation highlight the fragility of untamed nature, while his insights on youth perseverance inspire future generations.

Joel David Hamkins, a prominent mathematician and philosopher, explores the complexities of set theory and the nature of infinity. He delves into Cantor's revolutionary work on different sizes of infinity, using captivating examples like Hilbert's Hotel. Discussing Gödel's incompleteness theorems, Joel clarifies the profound distinctions between truth and provability in mathematics. He also invites listeners into the fascinating realm of surreal numbers and the enigmas of the multiverse, all while emphasizing collaborative problem-solving in mathematical creativity.

Irving Finkel, a curator at the British Museum and expert on ancient languages, delves into the secrets of Mesopotamian history. He discusses the origins of cuneiform writing and how it transitioned from pictographs to phonetic representations. Finkel uncovers a Mesopotamian flood narrative predating Noah, sharing details about constructing a replica ark based on ancient instructions. He also explores the significance of everyday texts, the complexities of translating cuneiform, and the cultural impact of ancient games—all while reflecting on the richness of human history.

Michael Levin, a biologist from Tufts University, delves into the fascinating realms of bioelectricity and synthetic living systems. He discusses the fluid boundary between living and non-living entities, emphasizing the importance of behavior in understanding cognition. Levin introduces his TAME framework for exploring alien intelligences and shares insights on xenobots and anthrobots, highlighting their unique healing behaviors and age-reversal capabilities. He also explores the implications of Platonic space and proposes innovative ways to map unconventional minds and behaviors.

David Kirtley, a nuclear fusion engineer and CEO of Helion Energy, shares insights into the future of energy and the quest for fusion power. He discusses the fundamental differences between nuclear fission and fusion, and explains why fusion is the key to generating safe, abundant energy. Kirtley elaborates on the challenges of confinement in fusion reactions, the advantages of using direct electricity conversion, and the potential societal benefits of fusion, such as powering AI data centers and supporting sustainable practices like vertical farming.

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and the creative mind behind Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, shares his insights into storytelling and game design. He discusses the impact of influential films on his narrative approach and dives into the complexities of game production timelines. Hauser elaborates on crafting multi-protagonist narratives, the moral depth of characters like Arthur Morgan, and the creative pressures of delivering blockbuster titles. He also reflects on the role of AI in gaming and offers advice for aspiring creators.

Julia Shaw, a criminal psychologist and author, dives into the dark aspects of human nature. She dissects psychopathy, addressing the controversial nature versus nurture debate using baby Hitler as a lens. Julia reveals how dehumanization fuels violence and underscores the importance of empathy. They explore the psychology behind serial killers, focusing on loneliness and impulsivity. Julia also discusses false memories, how AI could craft deceitful narratives, and the urgent need for restorative justice in crime. Her insights on relationship dynamics, kinks, and environmental crime provide a thought-provoking window into human behavior.

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is a fiercely independent champion of privacy and free speech. In this engaging conversation, he shares his views on the philosophy of freedom over money and discusses the importance of discipline and abstaining from distractions like phones and alcohol. Durov recounts his arrest in France and the challenges of content moderation amid political pressures. He also touches on the potential threats to Telegram’s access and the importance of monetary freedom through Bitcoin, emphasizing resilience in an increasingly regulated world.

Norman Ohler, a historian and author renowned for his works on the intersections of drugs and history, discusses the role of methamphetamine in Nazi Germany. He reveals how Pervitin was adopted by the Wehrmacht to combat fatigue and the chilling relationship between stimulants and wartime atrocities. Ohler also explores Hitler's bizarre medical regimen, including opioids and cocaine, and delves into the German resistance's creative underground culture. He reflects on how drugs have shaped human history, including his own experiences in Berlin's vibrant club scene.